Along the shores of Baltimare Harbor, in the halls of old 33 Hoebuck, our heroes have discovered a dark secret. What started as a mundane mission to stop illegal immigrant smuggling has uncovered something far more horrific - a cult from Griffonia. The party has successfully challenged and defeated many of the cultists and hired criminals, but in the process, has nearly died themselves. Now, low on health, they must both recover and put an end to the evils in 33 Hoebuck once and for all - before it puts an end to them first.
Way up north, in the Iron Range of Whinnysota, the ponies their inquire into exact who or what is damaging so many machines. Investigating and following leads, they may unveil the faults and problems of the Haysabi Iron Mine, and gain favor with Changeling authorities.
Damn it, I missed 123,000
1760 replies and 25 files omitted.
>>123601“Being suspected of being one of the terrorists they are looking for... because he dented a shovel.”
>>123602Brie runs his hoof across his forehead. "Thats horribly underwhelming."
>>123603“Well, I suspect seeing a monster will be more than enough to get them to change their minds.”
>>123606"Not really, to be honest. Let me get this straight: the productivity loss is due to drunken-ness and a lack of discipline, and the Changelings who are 'in charge' are afraid to send the truth up the communication lines?"
>>123607“Well, seeing as the pony that told them is being tortured to the point of hardly living, I would think they would want to keep south of that. And besides, the commander is stopping the chain of command himself, in order to save his own hide. So we have a choice to make, screw over the ponies and changeling grunts, or the high command.”
>>123608Brie smiles. "The high command it is! We'll still go with your plan, but it needs a little refinement to accommodate the new target."
>>123609“Sure thing. What do you suggest?”
>>123609"The queen isn't going to want to hear that we sleuthed the cause of the lack of productivity, the High Command is responsible for maintaining discipline. Its quite simple, they have failed in their duty. An example must be made."
>>123610"Well, its probably best to go ahead with your existing plan. For one, that will make an impression on the ponies in this town, and for two it will give plenty of distracting cover to acquire the bug in charge."
>>123612“Alright. Sounds good. Shall we begin immediately, or should we wait for closer to night to give them a good jolt?”
>>123614"The detonation of the bombs, is that to draw attention? I'm wondering if we can do that with just one bomb, rather than all three."
>>123615“Yeah. Just one, but closer so they believe all three went off. Then another on some structure for the ‘monster’ to destroy, then the last you can keep and do with as you please.”
>>123616Brie smiles. "Sounds good. So one at the entrance to the forest, one at a 'random' building, and one underneath the High Command? I'll get right on it."
>>123617“That might work, but then again, we need the command to report this as a monster and not terrorism. If they are dead, then they will assume the ponies or even changeling grunts are responsible.”
>>123618"I'm not planning on killing the
whole command, just the guy at the top. I'm also planning on taking credit for the kill when the time comes."
>>123619“Cool. When do you think the right time will be though?”
>>123620"Can you see in the dark?"
>>123622"Cover of darkness isn't going to help then. Hmmmm."
>>123594Is Zu Lang the head bug of the gendarmerie?
>>123624K, what time is it 'currently'?
>>123625Some time in the afternoon
~3 PM
Comparatively early nightfall because of the northern latitude and a little less than a lunar cycle after the Winter Solstice
>>123626K
>>123622"In that event, I would advise nightfall. Just before full darkness, where light is largely diminished but not vacant."
>>123628"No offense, but somehow I don't think this is going to go entirely according to plan. Having said, as long as I end up with,..." he glances around and then whispers the following "As long as I end up with Lang's head, this mission should be a success."
>>123627“Anything else we should do in case they don’t buy it?”
>>123631“How do we sneak the explosives by Lang?”
>>123632"Well its not ideal, but if we start blowing things up and they're not buying it, that will hurt our position. As long as the ponies are sufficiently panicked it shouldn't be an issue, I should be able to make somebug disappear in a crisis."
>>123634“Anything else before we start setting up?”
>>123635"Not really. These have a 1-minute fuse on them. I'm keeping the big one, but there's the two smaller ones. We'll need 2 units, one at the forest and one at the to-be-demolished building. Demolitions can be one of us, or we might get one of our Bug-friends to lend an appendage. I would prefer to not be setting the two bombs, so I can be close to Lang when they go off. Beyond that, I've got nothing."
>>123636“I think I can work with that.”
>>123636>>123594Spark gets to work setting up the explosives out of sight.
>>123638They are very big sets of explosives. The fuses are set, either by Spark or Brie
>>123639Spark stands near the forest, by the tracks, reay to cast an illusion.
>>123636>>123638The officer, before this standing still and stoically, comes to the cart, and knocks
>>123641Brie opens the door and steps out.
"Yes? Something I can help you with?"
>>123642From a quick look, it seems to be another officer of the Gendarmerie, though one lower ranking than Zu Lang. He blinks
"You are one of those allegedly sent by the queen, are you not? I met your partner, but not you."
>>123643"You'll have to be more specific, I have many associates." Brie smiles
>>123644"Your unicorn friend who asked the prisoner be brought out. But never mind him. I trust you spoke to Zu Lang?"
>>123645"Once, yes. I suppose I should update him on our plan for the insurgents though."
>>123646"So he told you his theory about insurgents then. What is it, pray tell?"
>>123648"I am First Lieutenant Drie Zwanzig. Zu Lang's Executive Officer"
He shakes a little in his right foreleg, but otherwise does not move nor inflect his words
>>123649"Very well. The plan is to engage arial reconnaissance until the target site is determined. Afterwards, to approach the site and bomb essential supplies/equipment and engage any hostiles. This insurgency should be over before dawn."
>>123650"Well I hope you have found something then. Have you found information from the workers or the drones?"
>>123651"Oh yes, I understand the prisoner you're keeping has been most,... reluctantly, helpful." Brie smiles.